THE EFFECT OF DIETARY EXPOSURE TO DON AND T-2 TOXIN ON HOST-RESISTANCE AND SERUM IMMUNOGLOBINS OF NORMAL AND MASTITIC MICE

Mice at their first lactation were treated with DON (deoxynivalenol) o r T-2 toxin and then infected with S. hyicus or M. avium. Virulence wa s estimated from the ability to induce lesions and bacterial growth in the mammary gland. Microscopic lesions in the infected gland varied i n character, from consistently non-reactive necrosis of the entire mam mary gland to localized inflammatory reactions. Single-dose and 7-day treatment by gavage with DON or T-2 toxin reduced the virulence of bot h S. hyicus and M. avium. The results of this study indicate that DON and T-2 toxin may significantly modulate cell-mediated resistance to p athogenic bacteria in a positive manner. Blood and udder tissue sample s were collected from treated and untreated mice to assess the respons iveness of immunoglobulins (Igs) and the bacterial growth in the mamma ry glands, respectively. Levels of serum IgA, IgG and IgM were increas ed in mice fed 12.5 mg/kg body weight of DON or 2.6 mg/kg body weight T-2 toxin. The T-2 toxin had a more profound effect on the serum level of Igs than did DON. Furthermore, the number of bacteria recovered fr om the inoculated glands was affected by the Fusarium toxins: the numb er was considerably lower in the treated than the control animals. It is concluded that contamination of food with trichothecenes may alter the normal pattern of immunoglobulin production.